INTEGRATION OF PELL TRAINING

Earlier I mentioned that the training progression for the engagement sets should follow this sequence: (1) open-air solo sets with no movement, (2) movement on a floor chart, and (3) training with a partner at half speed. The next logical progression is to perform the engagement set at full speed on a pell with functional weapons (i.e., live steel). The goal is to provide the student with knowledge of how the weapon behaves during full-speed impact on a hard target. This is particularly important with the tomahawk because it is only under these circumstances that the need to retract the tomahawk on impact can be fully appreciated

The training task conditions and standards for each of the aforementioned engagement sets are almost identical.

1. Perform the engagement set at slow speed, taking care to ensure that hands, arms, and legs are clear during each strike with the weapon.

2. Perform it at half speed focusing on smooth movement and transition.

3. Execute the set at full speed, focusing on accurate targeting with the weapons.

For brevity's sake, I did not include sequence drawings of the pell work. However, as an example, the next few pages demonstrate engagement set three being performed on the pell with the variation of a lowline attack.

Action 1

Face the pell within weapons range. Simulate the high parry while stepping across and delivering an angle 4 chop to the lower section of the pell.

Action 2

Action 3

Retract the long knife and execute an around-the-head chop to the pell.

ENGAGEMENT SET 4

Task Title:

High block/parry, angle 7 chop, crossover, and horizontal slash

Condition:

The tomahawk is held in the right hand in extended grip, long position with arm extended. The long knife is in the left hand in reverse grip.

Execution:

1. As a solo set

a. Execute the high block/parry against an incoming angle 1 cut.Simultaneously swing the left leg backward, circling to the left out of the opponent's line of attack.

b. Following the circular path begun with the block/parry, continue through into an angle 7 chop to the opponent's groin.

c. Shift the hips across to the right and execute a horizontal slash to the opponent's throat. 2. With a training partner

a. The opponent training partner should be equipped with a cuttoe trainer. Both partners should execute this drill at least 10 times before attempting it half speed.

b. The set begins with the opponent delivering an angle 1 cut. You then execute a high block/parry while pulling the left leg around to his left side.

c. Following the circular path of the block/parry, continue through with an angle 7 chop to the opponent's groin.

ENGAGEMENT SET 5

Task Title:

"Making the X"—side parry, angle 3 chop, angle 4 chop, and straight thrust.

Condition:

Hold the tomahawk in the right hand, with an extended grip and the arm in a half-chamber. Hold the long knife in the left hand with a saber grip. The arm is slightly extended forward of the tomahawk.

Execution:

1. 1. As a solo set

a. Execute a side parry with the long knife and immediately deliver an angle 3 chop to the left.

b. Follow immediately with an angle 4 chop to the right.

c. Sidestep to the right and deliver an immediate straight thrust to the center.

d. Note the footwork shifts on the following illustrations. Actions 1 through 3 are performed very rapidly, with the body shifting slightly off the opponent's centerline.

2. With a training partner

a. The training partner should be equipped with a rapier or cut-and-thrust sword and dagger trainer. Care should be taken that both partners have adequate eye, throat, chest, and groin protection. Execute this set 10 times at slow speed before attempting at half speed.

b. The set begins with the opponent delivering a straight thrust with the rapier. You then execute a high-side parry and shift to the left. Immediately execute an angle 3 chop to his right arm.

c. Almost immediately the opponent executes a straight thrust with the dagger. You then retract the tomahawk from his right arm and execute an angle 4 chop to his dagger hand,

turning his body to the right. Immediately follow by stepping out to the right and delivering a straight thrust with the long knife.

d. Standard: Repeat this sequence five times each training session.

ENGAGEMENT SET 6

Task Title:

Two-handed block, left-hand grab, angle 8 chop, right pivot, and angle 7 chop

Condition:

chamber.

Execution:

1. As a solo set

a. Execute a two-handed horizontal block to the left.

b. On completion of the block, reach under the tomahawk to grasp the opponent's weapon arm.

c. Immediately deliver an angle 8 overhead chop.

d. Pivot the left leg around to the right and slide to the opponent's side. e. Immediately deliver a reverse angle 7.

f. Perform this set in a five-count movement, gradually increasing the speed of each technique until it flows smoothly.

2. With a training partner

a. The training partner is equipped with a musket-bayonet trainer. Care should be taken that both partners have adequate eye, throat, chest, and groin protection. This set should be executed at least 10 times at slow speed before attempting it at half speed.

b. The set begins with the opponent's delivering a long thrust. You then execute a two- handed horizontal block, pushing the firearm to his left.

c. As soon as the opponent's gun clears, slide slightly forward, reach under his tomahawk, and execute a left-hand grab on his rifle hand, rifle, or arm.

d. Immediately deliver an angle 8 overhead chop.

e. On completion of the overhead chop, swing your left leg and body around to the right, sliding into the opponent's side or hip. Immediately deliver a reverse angle 7 chop to his groin or leg.

ENGAGEMENT SET 7

Task Title:

Inside block, tomahawk catch and pull, straight thrust.

Condition:

The tomahawk is held in the right hand; the long knife is held with a saber grip.

Execution:

1. As a solo set

a. Execute an inside block with the long knife.

b. Execute a hard pull-back with the tomahawk while delivering with a straight thrust or cut with the long knife.

2. With a training partner

a. The opponent training partner is equipped with two long knives. Care should be taken that both partners have adequate eye, throat, chest, and groin protection. Execute this set at least 10 times at slow speed before attempting it at half speed.

b. The set begins with the partner's delivering a straight thrust. You then shift to the left, away from the line of attack while simultaneously delivering an inside block.

c. Once you have pushed his thrust off line, direct his tomahawk up and over his weapon arm (see enlargement) and execute a hard pull backward.

d. Immediately follow the pull with a cut back to the left with the long knife. e. Standard: Repeat this set five times each training session.

ENGAGEMENT SET 8

Task Title:

Vertical rake, trap, and overhand stab

Condition:

Hold the tomahawk in the right hand, the long knife in the left with a reverse grip. Carry both the tomahawk and long knife in a left-side position.

Execution:

1. As a solo set

a. Execute a left-side draw with the tomahawk, slide forward, and continue to follow through to a vertical rake with a full choke.

b. Immediately execute a downward rake and trap of the opponent's weapon arm. c. Bring the long knife upward from the left-side draw and execute an overhand stab. 2. With a training partner

a. The tra ining opponent is equipped with a war club. Care should be taken that both partners have adequate eye, throat, chest, and groin protection. Execute this set at least 10 times at slow speed before attempting it at half speed. Use a heavily padded tomahawk to prevent injury from the rake technique.is set should be executed at slow speed at least 10 times before attempting it at half speed.

b. The set begins with the opponent's charging forward, raising the war club to deliver an angle 8 strike.

c. You execute a left-side draw to a vertical rake into the chin of the incoming opponent. Immediately pull the tomahawk over to the left and rake down, trapping his weapon arm. d. As the opponent's arm is trapped, draw up the long knife and execute an overhand stab to his throat.

ENGAGEMENT SET 9

Task Title:

Vertical block, bridge, handle punch, and downward rake.

The tomahawk is held in the right hand and drawn from a right-side carry.

Execution:

1. As a solo set

a. Step forward to the left and execute a right-side draw and deliver a vertical punch, blocking the incoming weapon with the tomahawk head.

b. Immediately execute a bridge to the left and deliver a handle punch. c. Follow through into a downward rake while stepping back to the left. 2. With a training partner

a. The training opponent is equipped with a war club. Care should be taken that both partners have adequate eye, throat, chest, and groin protection. Execute this set at least 10 times at slow speed before attempting it at half speed. Practice this set with a heavily padded tomahawk and war club.

b. The set begins with the opponent's delivering an angle 8 strike with the war club. You then execute a right-side draw and with a full-choke grip deliver an immediate block of the war club with the tomahawk head.

c. Execute a circular bridge to the left. As the handle clears the war club, use the handle to punch his face.

d. Pulling the handle down, execute a downward rake along his body. e. Standard: Repeat this set five times each training session.